APS Continues Proactive Response to Movie Theater Tragedy

Disaster Recovery Plan

Aurora Public Schools has a five-phase plan for proactively addressing this tragedy with our students, staff and community. Read more.

Key MessagesOur schools are safe.We have a plan.Our students, families and staff are not alone. We care.

7/20 Day of Remembrance

7/20 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

A Day of Remembrance is being planned on July 20. It will be a multifaceted day of meaningful remembrance, continued healing and positive community actions.

The day will begin with a community gathering and morning ceremony to honor and remember those whose lives were lost, survivors and their loved ones. The ceremony will be followed by a variety of healing activities such as meditation and reflection, counseling, yoga and art and music activities. Groups and individuals can pre-register for a number of community service projects that will take place around Aurora that day. Project descriptions and registration information are available at www.AuroraGov.org/720Volunteer.

If you or someone in your family was either at the Century 16 Theater Complex or evacuated from the Paris Street apartments on July 20, you may be eligible for additional assistance and services to help you following this incident.

Contact the Crime Victim Compensation Program (18th Judicial District) at 720-874-8620 with questions or to request a CVC application, or visit www.da18.org

Contact Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (COVA) at 800-261-2682 to speak with a victim advocate or visit www.coloradocrimevictims.org.

What is Traumatic Stress?

Learn and Start the Healing Process

After traumatic events like the Aurora Theater shooting, it is common to experience stressful side effects that can impact our lives. Anxiety, flashbacks, moodiness, emotional numbness and difficulty concentrating are all common signs of stress following a difficult event.

If you or anyone you know is currently dealing with stress, please contact Aurora Mental Health at303-617-2300 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit www.aumhc.org.

Trauma Support Group

Aurora Mental Health Center Offers Trauma Support Group

Aurora Mental Health Center is offering a trauma-focused support group for middle and high school students who were presentat the Century 16 theater complex on 7/20/12. The purpose of this group is to give teens an opportunity to talk with others who were in the theater and learn ways to manage trauma symptoms.

For more information contact Erin Staniszeski, LCSW at 303-617-2644 or visit auhmc.org.

The Aurora community has been changed by the tragic shooting that happened inside a local movie theater. Our hearts go out to those impacted and to our entire community.

News of a tragedy of this nature can be upsetting. Aurora Public Schools continues to reach out to victims, their families and friends, and the entire Aurora community.

This Disaster Recovery and Resources website provides access to information that may be helpful for you during this tragedy.

If you are an APS staff member, please contact your principal or immediate supervisor or department head. We have access to resources for mental health, victim advocates, counselors and Red Cross that can be sent to you as an individual or to your organization.

The Community Support Team has been getting out into the city meeting with all kinds of wonderful groups and organizations, as well as knocking on some doors in the neighborhoods. Now we invite the community to join us at the Aurora Strong Resilience Center for free events that will not only educate citizens about the individual effects of stress, traumatic experiences, and resilience, but also about how traumatic events can effect communities. The education piece will be quite informal, and we will focus on discussions and creating connections between community members. While the content will not be focused only on the Aurora Theater tragedy, we hope to reach people who may be experiencing anniversary reactions, or are anxious about the coming trial.

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The Aurora Public Schools is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ancestry, sex or need for special education services, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Read the full Notice of Nondiscrimination.